What methods or resources does the nominee use to continuously support the integration of technology with the organization?
As Director of Technology Craig McBain is continually looking for ways to help CVS staff integrate technology to promote efficiency and enhance teaching and learning. To accomplish this goal Mr. McBain has worked with his staff to create a wide variety of resources and professional development opportunities to meet the needs of the school community. By developing a vast array of professional development materials Mr. McBain has created an environment where staff has 24-7 access to materials addressing a wide variety of skill sets and modalities. This library of materials ensures that staff and students have technology support available when and where they need it.
The district Technology Services library is one example. This online resource is accessible and provides a wide range of materials for all district supported programs and technology tools. Resources include help sheets as well as videos and links to helpful websites. A few images of the resources available are included here.
A second example is a Sway developed for staff and community members helping them to take advantage of free software downloads offered through Office 365. These directions help staff, students, and families use the technology tools available. https://sway.com/HdFX5vJexwwCSYw4
Mr. McBain encourages technology innovators throughout the district through programs such as the Digital Innovators Group (DIG). This voluntary group of K-12 teachers received devices and attend monthly meetings to further explore the use of touch screen devices, digital inking, Windows 10 and related software within the classroom.
Mr. McBain strives to support every learners at his / her own level.
How does the nominee evaluate the needs of the staff that the nominee supports?
Assessing the needs of staff is an imperative step in supporting staff. Mr. McBain conducts an annual district survey to examine the technology usage and training needs. Additionally, he uses surveys to gather feedback from each PD session run by Technology Services.
Survey response rates are rarely 100% and results can be less than accurate. Mr. McBain has helped assess the needs of his staff is through participation in ongoing district-wide improvement processes. Mr. McBain has been an active participant of the recent district-wide Strategic Planning and AdvancEd Accreditation processes.
Beginning in 2015 CVS undertook a district wide strategic planning process to assess needs and goals for the future. The process encompassed the entire school community including staff, students, parents and other community members. Mr. McBain was a member of this committee and was able to learn more about the community’s perception of technology and needs in the district. At the end of the year the committee created a series of goal areas and specific goals. Technology was included as one goal area and Mr. McBain is now working with the district on plans to move forward with these goals.
In addition, CVS recently completed the district-wide AdvancEd Accreditation process. This process requires the school community to perform an honest assessment of themselves and is followed up with Improvement Priorities. As an active member of this process Mr. McBain gained further understanding of the district's current state of technology and the direction for the future.
What resources, tools, or processes does the nominee use to create meaningful learning opportunities for staff and learners that the nominee supports?
Making technology professional development meaningful is a challenge. The key to successful training is meeting the learner where they are at so you can then move them forward. Mr. McBain accomplishes this by providing a wide variety of professional learning opportunities that meet the needs of the learners. These trainings are sometimes face to face sessions during district provided time. Often they are after school voluntary opportunities. AT other times PD is conducted via Skype, allowing attendees to log on from school, home or anywhere else they can access the internet.
Mr. McBain has organized several unique events to provide learning opportunities to staff. For several years after the implementation of SMARTBoards Mr. McBain helped to organize a SMART User Conference. The day-long conference focused on helping teachers use their classroom technology to support teaching and learning daily.
Another learning opportunity is the Gears and Peers event. Utilizing corporate sponsors, Mr. McBain invites teachers to an off-site event. Technology tidbits and updates are shared throughout the event while attendees are treated to appetizers and drinks. This event provides a unique opportunity for teachers to get technology training in a relaxed atmosphere while rubbing elbows with colleagues. The change of pace from formal PD encourages questions and sharing.
These are only a few examples of the ways Mr. McBain creates meaningful PD opportunities for the CVS staff. The variety of formats and skill levels means that in the end there is truly something to meet the needs of all staff members.
As Director of Technology Craig McBain is continually looking for ways to help CVS staff integrate technology to promote efficiency and enhance teaching and learning. To accomplish this goal Mr. McBain has worked with his staff to create a wide variety of resources and professional development opportunities to meet the needs of the school community. By developing a vast array of professional development materials Mr. McBain has created an environment where staff has 24-7 access to materials addressing a wide variety of skill sets and modalities. This library of materials ensures that staff and students have technology support available when and where they need it.
The district Technology Services library is one example. This online resource is accessible and provides a wide range of materials for all district supported programs and technology tools. Resources include help sheets as well as videos and links to helpful websites. A few images of the resources available are included here.
A second example is a Sway developed for staff and community members helping them to take advantage of free software downloads offered through Office 365. These directions help staff, students, and families use the technology tools available.
https://sway.com/HdFX5vJexwwCSYw4
Mr. McBain encourages technology innovators throughout the district through programs such as the Digital Innovators Group (DIG). This voluntary group of K-12 teachers received devices and attend monthly meetings to further explore the use of touch screen devices, digital inking, Windows 10 and related software within the classroom.
Mr. McBain strives to support every learners at his / her own level.
How does the nominee evaluate the needs of the staff that the nominee supports?
Assessing the needs of staff is an imperative step in supporting staff. Mr. McBain conducts an annual district survey to examine the technology usage and training needs. Additionally, he uses surveys to gather feedback from each PD session run by Technology Services.
Survey response rates are rarely 100% and results can be less than accurate. Mr. McBain has helped assess the needs of his staff is through participation in ongoing district-wide improvement processes. Mr. McBain has been an active participant of the recent district-wide Strategic Planning and AdvancEd Accreditation processes.
Beginning in 2015 CVS undertook a district wide strategic planning process to assess needs and goals for the future. The process encompassed the entire school community including staff, students, parents and other community members. Mr. McBain was a member of this committee and was able to learn more about the community’s perception of technology and needs in the district. At the end of the year the committee created a series of goal areas and specific goals. Technology was included as one goal area and Mr. McBain is now working with the district on plans to move forward with these goals.
In addition, CVS recently completed the district-wide AdvancEd Accreditation process. This process requires the school community to perform an honest assessment of themselves and is followed up with Improvement Priorities. As an active member of this process Mr. McBain gained further understanding of the district's current state of technology and the direction for the future.
What resources, tools, or processes does the nominee use to create meaningful learning opportunities for staff and learners that the nominee supports?
Making technology professional development meaningful is a challenge. The key to successful training is meeting the learner where they are at so you can then move them forward. Mr. McBain accomplishes this by providing a wide variety of professional learning opportunities that meet the needs of the learners. These trainings are sometimes face to face sessions during district provided time. Often they are after school voluntary opportunities. AT other times PD is conducted via Skype, allowing attendees to log on from school, home or anywhere else they can access the internet.
Mr. McBain has organized several unique events to provide learning opportunities to staff. For several years after the implementation of SMARTBoards Mr. McBain helped to organize a SMART User Conference. The day-long conference focused on helping teachers use their classroom technology to support teaching and learning daily.
Another learning opportunity is the Gears and Peers event. Utilizing corporate sponsors, Mr. McBain invites teachers to an off-site event. Technology tidbits and updates are shared throughout the event while attendees are treated to appetizers and drinks. This event provides a unique opportunity for teachers to get technology training in a relaxed atmosphere while rubbing elbows with colleagues. The change of pace from formal PD encourages questions and sharing.
These are only a few examples of the ways Mr. McBain creates meaningful PD opportunities for the CVS staff. The variety of formats and skill levels means that in the end there is truly something to meet the needs of all staff members.